All about the metals used in fine jewellery.
Whether it’s an engagement ring, an anniversary gift or a bespoke piece of your own design, the metal you choose shapes how it wears, how it feels and how it looks against your skin. The more you know about each one, the better your choice will be.
Naturally white, considerably rarer than gold and the metal we recommend most often for engagement rings. Platinum is dense yet slightly malleable, so a knocked claw tends to bend rather than snap — which is why platinum settings protect centre stones so well over decades. It never needs replating, and it’s typically 95% pure, making it hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin.
If you’re setting a stone above 1ct or you work with your hands, platinum is worth the additional spend.
Pure gold is too soft for fine jewellery, so it’s alloyed with copper and silver for strength. In Australia that means 18ct (75% gold, marked 750) or 9ct (37.5% gold, marked 375) — 18ct gives a richer colour and more substantial feel. Gold is more malleable than platinum, so claws in a gold setting should be checked each year.
Yellow gold flatters a warmer diamond, so it can free up budget for cut or carat.
Gold is naturally yellow, so white gold is alloyed with white metals and then finished with a rhodium plating — and that plating is what most people are actually seeing. It gives the look of platinum at a lower price point, but the rhodium wears gradually and needs renewing to stay bright. If you have sensitive skin, ask us about a nickel-free alloy.
Rhodium replating is a separate service and isn’t included in our complimentary cleaning.
18ct rose gold is 75% gold with the balance largely copper, and the copper is what creates the colour. The result is warm, romantic and slightly vintage, and it suits most skin tones. It needs no plating, so the colour is permanent, and the copper makes it a little harder than yellow gold of the same carat.
The warmth of rose gold makes a diamond read brighter and whiter by contrast.
A member of the platinum family — naturally white, hypoallergenic and never in need of replating. What sets it apart is weight: palladium is a little over half as dense as platinum, so it feels remarkably light on the hand. For some that lightness is the appeal; for others the substance of platinum is the point.
Worth handling both before you decide. The difference in feel is immediate.
Silver reads as contemporary or classic depending on the design, and it suits almost every skin tone. Pure silver is far too soft for jewellery, so we use sterling — 92.5% silver alloyed with copper, marked 925. It’s the most affordable precious metal, though it’s softer than gold and it will tarnish; a gentle polish with a silver cloth restores it in minutes.
Beautiful for earrings and pendants. For a ring worn daily, we’d steer you to white gold or platinum.
Exceptionally light, highly durable and one of the most affordable options available. Titanium resists bending and cracking, takes brushed, matte or polished finishes well, and accepts inlays of gold or carbon fibre for contrast. It’s completely hypoallergenic — the same reason it’s used in surgical implants.
Titanium is very difficult to resize, so sizing needs to be right from the outset.
Tungsten used in jewellery is tungsten carbide — a metal ceramic. It’s grey-silver, sometimes finished in black, and it holds a mirror polish better than almost anything else. Extraordinarily hard and highly scratch-resistant, but brittle: where gold would bend under heavy impact, tungsten can crack. It can’t be resized and won’t take a traditional stone setting.
Among the heaviest metals used in jewellery. Expect real weight on the hand.
A high-strength alloy that’s harder and more scratch-resistant than the precious metals. It doesn’t oxidise, and it holds its finish without the replating white gold needs or the polishing silver needs. Visually it’s the closest of the alternative metals to platinum — a bright white-silver rather than grey — and it’s hypoallergenic.
Unlike titanium and tungsten, cobalt chrome can be resized, though only within limits.
Black, matte and almost weightless. Most often used in men’s wedding bands, either as a full band or as an inlay set into titanium, tungsten or gold — that contrast of black against a polished metal is what makes it distinctive. It’s among the most affordable options, though it can’t be resized.
For the black finish with more structure behind it, ask about a carbon fibre inlay in titanium.
Every piece begins with a conversation. We take the time to understand your vision, your style and your investment before anything else. There’s no pressure and no rush – just an honest discussion about what you have in mind. Book a consultation with our team to begin your custom journey.
Every metal wears differently, and a few small habits make a significant difference over the years.
All jewellery purchased from Zed n Zed Jewellers is eligible for complimentary professional cleaning in-store, unlimited and for the life of the piece. Simply bring your jewellery in at any time – no appointment necessary. Please note that rhodium replating for white gold is available as a separate service and is not included in the complimentary cleaning offer.
